Louisiana HB 247: DISTRICTS/ECONOMIC DEVEL: Creates the Allen Parish Economic Development District and abolishes the Allen Parish Tourist Commission

Bill Text

ENROLLED
ACT No. 398
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 247
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARRIER
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 33:2740.70.11 and to repeal R.S. 33:4574(B)(3), 4574.1.1(A)(3), and 4574.14,
3 relative to Allen Parish; to create the Allen Parish Economic Development District;
4 to provide relative to the boundaries, purpose, governance, and powers and duties of
5 the district; to provide for district funding; to provide relative to the Allen Parish
6 Tourist Commission; to provide relative to the governing board of the commission;
7 to provide relative to the compensation of board members; to provide relative to
8 taxes levied by the commission; to repeal provisions that provide for the creation of
9 the commission; to abolish the commission; to provide relative to the funds and
10 property of the commission; and to provide for related matters.
11 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published
12 as provided by Article III, Section 13 of the Constitution of
13 Louisiana.
14 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
15 Section 1. R.S. 33:2740.70.11 is hereby enacted to read as follows:
16 §2740.70.11. Allen Parish Economic Development District
17 A. There is hereby created within the parish of Allen, as more specifically
18 provided in Subsection B of this Section, a body politic and corporate which shall
19 be known as the Allen Parish Economic Development District, referred to in this
20 Section as the "district". The district shall be a political subdivision of the state as
21 defined in the Constitution of Louisiana.
22 B. The boundaries of the district shall encompass all of the territorial
23 jurisdiction of the parish of Allen.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.

HB NO. 247 ENROLLED
1 C. The district is created to provide for cooperative economic and
2 community development among the district, the parish, the state, and the owners of
3 property in the district; to provide for tourism-related initiatives; to enhance the
4 development of and improvement to the property within the area of the district; to
5 develop stable and more extensive employment opportunities; to improve
6 infrastructure; and to promote the overall welfare of the citizens of the district.
7 D.(1) In order to provide for the orderly development of the district and
8 effect the purposes of the district, the district shall be administered and governed by
9 a board of commissioners, referred to in this Section as the "board", composed of
10 five members as follows:
11 (a) The president of the Allen Parish Industrial Development Board.
12 (b) The president of the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce.
13 (c) The president of the Kinder Chamber of Commerce.
14 (d) The president of the governing authority of the parish of Allen.
15 (e) The member of the Louisiana House of Representatives whose district
16 encompasses all or the greater portion of the area of the district, or his designee.
17 (2) The members of the board shall serve during their terms of office. Any
18 designee shall serve at the pleasure of the designating authority.
19 (3) The board shall elect from its members a president, a vice president, a
20 secretary, a treasurer, and such other officers as it may deem necessary. The duties
21 of the officers shall be fixed by the bylaws adopted by the board.
22 (4) The minute books and archives of the district shall be maintained by the
23 secretary of the board. The monies, funds, and accounts of the district shall be in the
24 official custody of the board.
25 (5) The board shall adopt such rules and regulations as it deems necessary
26 or advisable for conducting its business affairs. It shall hold regular meetings as
27 shall be provided for in the bylaws and may hold special meetings at such times and
28 places within the district as may be prescribed in the bylaws.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.

HB NO. 247 ENROLLED
1 (6) A majority of the voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum
2 for the transaction of business. The board shall keep minutes of all meetings and
3 shall make them available through the secretary of the board to residents of the
4 district.
5 (7) The members of the board shall serve without compensation; however,
6 they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred while attending to the business of the
7 board or the district.
8 E.(1) The district, acting by and through its board, shall have and exercise
9 all powers of a political subdivision necessary or convenient for carrying out its
10 objects and purposes, including but not limited to the following:
11 (a) To sue and to be sued.
12 (b) To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.
13 (c) To adopt bylaws and rules and regulations.
14 (d) To receive by gift, grant, or donation any sum of money, property, aid,
15 or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or